Today I am joining my friends and Lisa-Jo again for Five Minute Friday. If you’re new here (welcome!) the rules are simple: Write, don’t edit, link your post to her page, and then share the encouragement like wildfire. You can do that, I know you can.
The prompt this week is: Jump
I slowly took one step at a time up the tall thin ladder finally reaching the second platform. I had never climbed this high. My knees began to knock together as I look over the edge at the water below. I thought
to myself, "I can't do it." then took a couple of steps back. However, I knew the rule was that once you go up you have to jump. The lifeguard will not allow you to go back down the ladder. The only way for me to get safely back to my mom was to jump off the 5 meters high platform. As I walked back to the edge I begin to hear people yelling, "JUMP, JUMP,JUMP!" Some were yelling out of frustration because I was holding them up.I think some were yelling because they wanted to see if I would end up doing a "belly-flop". I believe that most of the people were shouting simply to encourage me. Feeling that encouragement, I took just one small step off the end of the platform and the free fall began. It was such a freeing feeling as I "flew" through the air. I was worried that hitting the water would hurt. I was able to keep myself straight and when I went into the water I was so invigorated. As I swam to the side of the pool, mom was there waiting on me, I just said, "I want to try the top one now." (the top platform has since been closed)
My journey of following God has been a lot like my experience at Point Mallard on the diving platform. Once I committed to following God's calling, I begun to hear all kind of voice yelling at me. Some were yelling words of judgement, some words of frustration but most have been and still are speaking words of encouragement. It is those words of encouragement (both online and in real life) that has pushed me to take small steps to grow closer and closer to Him. Now I am just looking to Him saying. "I want to go to the next level."
Good post.
ReplyDeleteThank you Denise.
DeleteThis took me back to when I was about seven years old, standing on the edge of the high diving board at our community pool. (Why is it that three meters seems so small, but it doesn't look that way at all when you're staring down?!) I love it...blessings, sweet friend, as you continue to take those jumps. It's a blessing to hear how God is rewarding your faith! Have a wonderful weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like such a distance especially when fear is taking over.
DeleteDear Amy
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of the power of our words! How it can hurt so much, or encourage you to new heights. Oh, we need to be so careful even when speaking the truth! Happy FMF and a blessed weekend.
Mia
Yes we have to be so very carefully.
DeleteI love your parallel! We all need to be longing for that next level. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI am just now beginning to strive to move to the next level with Christ.
DeleteIgnore those jeers and hear the encouragement from each of us saying, jump, jump, jump. We want to see you soar!
ReplyDeleteSometimes those jeers are hard to ignore but I have been blessed to find new encouragers like you here online.
DeleteSo sweet. Mt little guy (age 4) was at a friend's b-day party today with a inflatable water slide thing. He finally got the courage to do it. Each time afterward, he would slide down and immediately start yelling "Mama, Mama, I did it again!" He was so happy and proud of himself and that feeling was infectious. Imagine if we all did that, how much joy would be spread around?
ReplyDeleteI love watching the excitement of little ones when they do something they thought they couldn't. Don't you think God looks at us in the same way.
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